Saints turn back Hincka, Vikings

GAYLORD — St. Ignace had to hold off a big comeback from the Posen Vikings and 6-foot-1 junior center Korynn Hincka Thursday night.

The Saints withstood a career-high 40 points from Hincka and turned back the Vikings 74-68 in a Class D regional championship girls basketball game at Gaylord High School.

Sarah Cullip delivered a career-best 26 points and also grabbed 14 rebounds for the Saints. Abbey Ostman contributed 17 points and 20 rebounds, while Kelley Wright had 10 points, six steals and six assists, and Emily Hinsman had nine points for the Saints.

"Both teams played hard and it took everything we had to win it," St. Ignace coach Dorene Ingalls said. "This was the first game in awhile that we had to grind one out.

"Hincka is everything she was said to be," Ingalls said. "She's Megatron. She can catch anything near her, and once she gets the ball close to the basket, there is no stopping her."

The Saints led 40-24 at halftime, but the Vikings stormed back in the third quarter with a 30-18 burst.

Hincka scored 22 points in the third, and was 12-of-13 from the free throw line during that stretch as the Vikings closed within 58-53 heading to the fourth quarter. Posen got as close as three points and was within four twice within the last five minutes. Hinsman made the plays at the finish for the Saints, scoring the final five points over the final one and a half minutes.

It took contributions from throughout the lineup for the state’s No. 1-ranked Saints.

"Sarah Cullip really stepped up her game," Ingalls said. "They (Vikings) were getting out on our shooters, so it left the middle of the defense open. Sarah was able to do a lot of damage in the paint.

"Margo Brown hit a big three in the fourth quarter, and Emily made some big shots at the end," Ingalls said.

Bev Bednarski scored 11 points for the Vikings, who finish 23-1.

St. Ignace (24-0) advances to play Forest Park (22-1) in the quarterfinals Tuesday at Escanaba High School.